An Overview of the Hearing Process Before the Environmental Review Tribunal April 2009 1
The Tribunal and its Members Established by legislation Arm’s length, independent and impartial Members appointed by Cabinet Members have diverse backgrounds Members Wear Three Hats: Environmental Review Tribunal 1. Niagara Escarpment Hearing Office 2. Office of Consolidated Hearings 3. 2
The Tribunal Role Efficiently and effectively resolve environmental and development issues through: Mediation Public hearings Decisions/recommendations Provide excellent customer service through: Website search engine Guides 3
ERT/NEHO/OCH Proceedings Clean Water Act, 2006 Consolidated Hearings Act Environmental Assessment Act Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 Environmental Protection Act Greenbelt Act, 2005 Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act Nutrient Management Act, 2002 Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001 Ontario Water Resources Act Pesticides Act Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 4
Appeals Clean Water Act, 2006; Environmental Protection Act ; Ontario Water Resources Act; Nutrient Management Act, 2002 ; Pesticides Act; Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 Director’s Order* Director’s refusal to issue, or cancellation or suspension of an approval* Terms and conditions of an approval Right to appeal within 15 days* Further right of appeal to Divisional Court and/or to Minister of the Environment (except Clean Water Act, 2006 ) 5
Leave to Appeal under the Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993 Act’s purpose is broad Standing (s. 38 (1)) A person seeking Leave to Appeal a decision regarding a Class I or II instrument must be an Ontario resident and have an “interest” in the decision Two-part test for Leave to Appeal (s. 41) Leave to appeal a decision shall not be granted unless it appears to the appellate body that, • There is good reason to believe that no reasonable person, having regard to the relevant law and to any government policies developed to guide decisions of that kind, could have made the decision; and • The decision in respect of which an appeal is sought could result in significant harm to the environment. Hearing usually conducted by written submissions No right of appeal 6
Applications Under: The Environmental Assessment Act Protection, conservation and wise management of the environment Undertakings Terms of Reference for an Environmental Assessment (EA) Government and Public Review of EA. Public may request that the Minister refer a matter to the Tribunal for a Hearing Minister can approve the EA or require a Hearing Terms of Reference for a Hearing 7
Applications Under: The Environmental Protection Act Protect and conserve the natural environment Approvals for waste disposal sites and waste management systems Discretionary/ mandatory Hearings Relevant considerations Appeal to Cabinet and Divisional Court The Ontario Water Resources Act Conserve, protect and manage Ontario’s waters Prevent impairment of any water body Sewage works Discretionary/mandatory Hearings Appeal to Cabinet and Divisional Court 8
Proceedings Under: The Consolidated Hearings Act A Joint Board conducts all hearings (ERT and OMB members) Proponent requests consolidation Broad powers Establishment of a Joint Board Right to appeal to Cabinet 9
Proceedings Under: The Greenbelt Act, 2005 (“ GA ”) Greenbelt Plan amendments, OMB and Joint Board appeals stayed under the GA , municipal official plan and zoning by-law amendments referred by the Minister to conform with the Greenbelt Plan After hearing – provide a summary of the evidence and recommendations to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing No statutory right of appeal The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act , 2001 (“ ORMCA ”) Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan amendments, OMB appeals stayed under the ORMCA , municipal official plan and zoning by-law amendments referred by the Minister to conform with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan After hearing – provide a summary of the evidence and recommendations to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing No statutory right of appeal 10
Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act (“ NEPDA ”) Development Permit Appeals Appeal of a decision of the Niagara Escarpment Commission regarding development permits Hearing Officer Recommendations and reports given to the Minister of Natural Resources Plan Amendment Applications Must consider Act’s objectives Hearing Officer Recommendations provided to the Niagara Escarpment Commission Commission recommends to the Minister of Natural Resources Lieutenant Governor in Council considers the Minister’s 11 recommendations
Mediation Voluntary Conducted after the Preliminary Hearing Members are trained and experienced Confidential and without prejudice Governed by Rules of Practice and Practice Directions Not applicable to NEPDA , ORMCA and GA proceedings 12
The Hearing Process Governed by the procedures provided by: the enabling legislation the Statutory Powers Procedure Act (where applicable) the Tribunal’s Rules of Practice and Practice Directions the Tribunal member conducting the hearing Usual steps in the hearing process Tribunal provides Notice of Hearing Preliminary Hearing/ Pre-Hearing Conference The Hearing 13
Preliminary Hearings/ Pre-Hearing Conferences Are usually conducted in person, except under NEPDA , where the Pre-Hearing Conference is usually conducted by teleconference Identify/Designate persons who wish to participate Parties Participants Presenters Determine and simplify issues Determine whether any agreed facts Identify the witnesses Set deadlines for exchange of information Schedule dates, set location for the hearing Develop Procedural Directions, if appropriate Hear preliminary motions 14
Participating in a Hearing As Presenter May be a witness and present evidence at a pre-arranged time Be questioned by the Tribunal and the Parties Upon request, receive a copy of documents exchanged by the Parties Cannot call or cross-examine witnesses, make submissions, seek review, ask for or be subject to costs As Participant In addition to the above, make oral and written submissions to the Tribunal As Party All of above plus, call or cross-examine witnesses Seek costs (if legislation or Rules permit) Seek review of the Tribunal’s Decision, where available 15
Witnesses / Sharing Information Rules of Practice and Practice Directions for Technical/Opinion Evidence fair and full disclosure plain language A witness statement should indicate: the witness’ interest in the application whether the evidence is factual or opinion a complete statement of the evidence Rules regarding summons to witness do NOT apply to proceedings under the ORMCA and GA Exchange of Documents Relevant documents must be disclosed, and documents relied on by the Parties that are submitted to the Tribunal prior to the start of the Hearing, other than the Appeal or Application, shall be provided in duplicate Representatives Where a Party, Participant or Presenter is represented, all communication to them from either the Tribunal or the other Parties shall be through their representative 16
The Tribunal’s Decision: Dismissal Dismissal for non-compliance Failure to comply with Rules, orders, undertakings or written requests from the Tribunal that cause persistent undue delay maybe result in dismissal of the proceedings Does NOT apply to proceedings under ORMCA and GA, or to Niagara Escarpment Plan amendments under NEPDA , unless the Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment is under the CHA Motion for Dismissal: A party may bring a motion to dismiss proceedings if: The matter is outside the jurisdiction of the Tribunal The matter is frivolous, vexatious or is commenced in bad faith Statutory requirements have not been met Another party has caused undue delay or has not complied with the Rules, orders, undertakings, or written requests from the Tribunal Does NOT apply to: NEPDA, ORMCA or GA 17
The Tribunal’s Decision: Dismissal (cont’d) Dismissal on Tribunal’s initiative The matter is outside the jurisdiction of the Tribunal Statutory requirements have not been met Does NOT apply to proceedings under ORMCA and GA , or to Niagara Escarpment Plan amendments under NEPDA , unless the Niagara Escarpment Plan amendment is under the CHA Motion for Dismissal of Appeals of Development Permits under NEPDA : a party may bring motion to dismiss proceedings if: The appeal does not disclose a planning justification, is not in the public interest, is without merit, is frivolous or vexatious or is made only for the purpose of delay Notice of appeal does not specify reasons for appeal Person who appealed decision has not responded to a request by the Tribunal for further information within the time specified by the Tribunal The matter is outside the jurisdiction of the Tribunal 18
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